Montreal CF coach Wilfried Nancy wasn’t lying when he said Celtic-bound Canada international Alistair Johnston was equally comfortable in a number of different positions. There’s versatile, and then there’s him.
“Depending on the opposition, sometimes he can play as a centre-back. (And) sometimes he can play as a wing-back,” Nancy explains.
“We like to change the way we play week by week. He is so clever that he is able to understand all the nuances in the game. For me, after that, it was a no-brainer that he can (also) play as a wing-back. What I like about him is that he’s able to understand quickly.”
Celtic set to sign Canada’s World Cup ace Alistair Johnston for £3m
During Canada’s two group-stage games so far at the Qatar World Cup, Johnston showcased both sides of his game. In the unfortunate and undeserved 1-0 defeat to Belgium, the 24-year-old was a constant threat in the final third, stinging the palms of Thibaut Courtois with a fierce volley from inside the penalty area while contributing impressively to the attack with those clever runs and incisive crosses.
Against Croatia on Sunday, however, Johnston was handed a more defensively-minded role; starting on the right of John Herdman’s back three. And while he and Canada endured a far more difficult afternoon, a ruthless Croatian side surviving an early scare to win 4-1, Johnston still left a positive impression.
His defensive positioning was impressive, particularly in the first half, executing a couple of perfectly-timed tackles and interceptions.
“Excellent, wasn’t it?” Arsenal legend Martin Keown said during BBC’s coverage after one particularly eye-catching Johnston intervention.
A new player, and a new formation?
Celtic are confident of making the former Nashville SC ace their second January signing after Yuki Kobayashi (Daily Record). Johnston will cost around £3 million, and should help offset any fears regarding Josip Juranovic’s potential exit.
The most intriguing aspect of Johnston’s arrival, however, is what it means for Ange Postecoglou’s tactical approach at Parkhead. The Aussie tactician has not used a back three in any of Celtic’s games in all competitions this season. Johnston, meanwhile, has played almost exclusively in a back three, for both club and country.
Now, this is not to say Postecoglou is going to tear up a blueprint that has served Celtic so well and introducing an all-new formation just to suit one player. If it ain’t broke, after all. But, in Johnston, the Hoops are signing a player who might just bring an added sense of flexibility and tactical unpredictability to Parkhead.
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